‘I discovered a portal’ Ruben’s workshops celebrating Stirchley Library

I discovered a Portal, a way to connect with others.
My space.  Their space.  Our space.  
Like a book opening. 
I am guided through self or through parents to navigate my own way to my favourites.  
Yet I am open to surprises. 
My place is marked.  
I can sit undisturbed for hours. 
Together, we fill pages.

Stirchley Community Poem

As part of our Book Marks project three local poets ran workshops at the three Selly Oak Constituency libraries to engage people creatively about their library experiences. Ruben Whitter @rubenpaulspeaks ran workshops at Stirchley Library with mixed groups of library users. Above is the poem they have written about what Libraries mean to communities.

All photography by Anton Malcolm.